Publisher's Summary

Haunted by a life of violence and as proficient with languages as she is with knives, Vanessa Michael Munroe, chameleon and hunter, has built her life on a reputation for getting things done - dangerous and often not-quite-legal things. Born to missionary parents in lawless Africa, taken under the tutelage of gunrunners, and tortured by one of the jungle’s most brutal men, Munroe was forced to do whatever it took to stay alive.

The ability to survive, fight, adapt, and blend has since taken her across the globe on behalf of corporations, heads of state, and the few private clients who can afford her unique brand of expertise, and these abilities have made her enemies.

On a busy Dallas street, Munroe is kidnapped by an unseen opponent and thrust into an underground world where women and girls are merchandise and a shadowy figure known as The Doll Maker controls her every move. While trusted friends race to unravel where she is and why she was taken, everything pivots on one simple choice: Munroe must use her unique set of skills to deliver a high-profile young woman into the same nightmare that she once endured, or condemn to torture and certain death the one person she loves above all else.

Driven by the violence that has made her what she is, cut off from help, and with attempts to escape predicted and prevented, Munroe will hunt for openings, for solutions, and a way to strike back at a man who holds all the cards. Because only one thing is certain: She cannot save everyone.

In this high-octane thriller for fans of Lee Child, Stieg Larsson, and Robert Ludlum's Bourne trilogy, Vanessa Michael Munroe will have to fight fast, smart, and furiously to overcome a dangerous nemesis and deliver her trademark brand of justice.

What the Critics Say

"Munroe is a sensational character and Stevens is a sensational writer, and together they put The Doll high on my books-of-the-year list." (Lee Child, New York Times best-selling author of the Jack Reacher series)

"Prolific linguist and exquisitely honed killer Munroe is no less effective here for still suffering from past trauma.… Stevens’ third series outing is another brisk, adrenaline-fueled adventure with a trail of bodies and a damaged protagonist who may live to kill another day." (Library Journal)

"Stevens’ third Munroe book is another international action-adventure with a Bourne-like avenging angel at the reins." (Booklist)

Vanessa Michael Munro is not just a superb physical specimen who can fight better, run better and handle weapons better than any man, she also has brains and can speak almost every language on the planet. Of course she uses all her superb talents in this latest book on her life and deeds. It somewhat helps, but it's not necessary, to have read all Steven's books in the series to get and understanding of how all the characters in the book relate to her and neatly fit into all the layers of the story. I found this an excellent and exciting read and I'm looking forward to see what Michael gets up to in the future.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Author Ronda Del Boccio

Branson, Missouri

6/08/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fabulous, riveting!"

Would you listen to The Doll again? Why?

The only hesitation regarding would I read it again is that there are SO many books I want to read. I'm voracious. But this whole series is among books I might read again if I had another life which let me double my reading!

What other book might you compare The Doll to and why?

If you liked The Informationist, Stevens' first book, you will like this one a lot.

Have you listened to any of Hillary Huber’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Huber does a great job with this series. If I were writing a suspense book, I'd want her reading it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

I appreciate the anguish and decisions the main character, Vanessa, goes through in trying to master her darker nature and overcome her deep wounds.

Any additional comments?

This book is as good as The Informationist. I felt the second one slipped just a bit, but now we're back up to a thrilling read.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Harry

Briarcliff Manor, NY, United States

25/11/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fabulous again"

Another excellent story. Wished it would have been longer with more time spent on Michael's revenge.

Only complaint I have was not understanding her female companions rationale for some of her actions near the end of the book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Elle (AKA PlantCrone) in the great NorthWest

OREGON

26/10/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"An excellent follow up to "The Informationist""

First-I think Hillary Huber is a fantastic narrator for this series. She has an earthy voice and each of her male voices, who outnumber the women about 10 to 1, is distinctive and the listener is able to tell who is talking from the sound of the voice. Her tone and attitude for Michael Vanessa Munroe is perfect in pitch and the attitude she gives Michael is ideal.

I enjoyed this novel more than I did "The Innocent".and almost as much as "The Informationist" . The plot was tight, the story arc breathtaking and the character development of primary characters continues - builds nicely on what was learned in the first two novels.

If the reader hasn't read the story of Taylor Stevens life, I suggest you go to her website and read a couple of the interviews. This woman writes from her life. She knows what it is like to be an innocent young girl held captive by male nut cases. Michael Vanessa isn't Taylor Stevens, but Stevens history is used to build much of her story and the tenseness of her writing comes out with the difficult life she had as a young girl and woman.

This is a "Worth Your Credit" - I don't award a lot of 5 star ratings-it takes a pretty spectacular book to get 5 stars in my opinion. My 4 star rating is well deserved for his book. The Narrator gets 5 stars for her ability!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Thomas Levin

Chicago

20/09/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Fast paced thrillers"

What made the experience of listening to The Doll the most enjoyable?

Action packed throughout

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Doll?

The ending

What about Hillary Huber’s performance did you like?

Liked her read very much

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes

Any additional comments?

Pacing and action similar to her first novel

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Lauren

Chicago, IL, United States

31/07/13

Overall

Performance

Story

"Horrible"

This series has gone from good to horrible. I really didn't like this book and almost stopped listening with only about an hour left which is not like me. I don't know...this was just a bad story. It was so boring and I'm really sick of Michael Munroe and Taylor Stevens' writing.

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

E

Thunder Bay, ON, Canada

14/07/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Got tedious"

Usually enjoy the intricate plot lines of the series. But this one just seemed flat a tedious. Narration was the only thing that saved it.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

S. Kohl

Florida

13/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Stunning storytelling"

What made the experience of listening to The Doll the most enjoyable?

I love all Taylor Stevens books. Vanessa Michael Monroe is the most interesting character in a series, bar none. I don't like reading reviews that ruin the story, so will try to not do that here. Overall the story is so well integrated with several stories on different fronts, but very easy to follow. This story includes everything that makes Michael so interesting- her amazing abilities with language, combat, strategy, etc. It also shows, that although she often has a questioning opinion of herself, she is without doubt an incredible person and outstanding example of humanity and character.The story also shows the amount of love that she not only has for others, but more so, how much she is loved.The additional characters- the "villains" are suitably heinous, and the "Doll", is much more than she seems at first glance.I am a fanatical fan of Taylor Stevens and Vanessa Michael Monroe. It still is disappointing that both on Amazon and Audible, putting in a search with her titles, many other books come up before hers do. I have even complained to Audible about including her new titles in their "Best of the Month" titles. Hopefully, more people will rise up and get this series the attention it deserves.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Michael, of course

Which scene was your favorite?

The final scene with The Doll Maker

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This is actually my second reading/listening and it still had my heart pounding at times

Any additional comments?

Please, please, please... make Taylor Stevens a Best of the Month author.

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

michele

11/01/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"excellent"

while Michael is tortured it is not the main feature of the story. the story had plenty of twists and turns which keeps you interested til the end. ok I admit I didn't get the last quip of an ending but it didn't ruin the story.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Kristen K. Elliott

Houston, Texas

21/08/14

Overall

Performance

Story

"Guess I will keep trying"

Would you try another book from Taylor Stevens and/or Hillary Huber?

Probably not

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

I started this book three times and just couldn't get into it. I live in the Dallas/Addison area and some of the references seemed off so I was distracted into thinking "that isn't right" other than listening to the book. Perhaps if it was written in a place I wasn't familiar with it would have been easier to get into.

Any additional comments?

It is just boring and silly

0 of 2 people found this review helpful

Report Inappropriate Content

If you find this review inappropriate and think it should be removed from our site, let us know. This report will be reviewed by Audible and we will take appropriate action.